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Angie clicked her tongue, and to her surprise, Belle started walking. Her father had chosen a well-trained horse. Of course he had. Wayne Bay never did anything halfway.
Including spoiling his daughter.
She freed that thought from her mind. This moment was for her and Belle. She didn’t want to use a crop or whip to start her, and she knew Rafe would hate that too.
“Good job. Now we’re going to circle to the left. Go ahead and swivel and look to nine o’clock.”
Belle didn’t move.
“Why isn’t it working?”
“She’s probably been mouth trained. Lift your rein just slightly.”
It worked! Belle veered to the left.
“We’re going to keep at this till she responds without the rein.”
About a half hour later, Angie and Belle were circling to the right and the left without any reins. Rafe’s smile told her he was pleased.
“Great job today, Angelina.”
Was he intentionally creating distance? “We’ve been through this. I wish you’d call me Angie.”
“I don’t know. Angelina fits you better.”
“But it sounds so… I don’t know.” Too classy? Is that what she was going to say? Too what? She wasn’t sure. All she knew was that it was important to her that Rafe call her Angie.
“Please?” She used the word and the batting eyes that always worked on her daddy. Till now, of course.
To her astonishment, it worked.
“All right…Angie. Great work today. I hate to tell you this, but you’re going to be saddle sore, so I recommend a hot bath tonight. You go on home. I’ll take care of Belle today. See you tomorrow.” He took Belle’s reins and turned toward the bar.
“But—”
He turned back to face her.
What had she wanted to say? Don’t leave? Kiss me again? Take me to bed? I think I might be falling for you?
While he clearly enjoyed her physically, he obviously had no interest in her in any other way. Probably thought she was a horny spoiled brat who was too old for him anyway.
Which, of course, was all true.
She stood with her mouth agape, most likely looking like an idiot, when her cell phone rang.
Saved by the bell. Literally.
“Hi, Mama,” she said into the phone.
“Angie.” Her mother’s voice was low and hollow. “Come home right away. It’s Daddy.”
* * *
“Why didn’t you tell us about this?” Angie demanded.
Maria Bay sat quietly in the hospital waiting area. “Please don’t make a scene, Angie. It was your father’s wish not to burden you kids.”
“Burden us?” Catie’s pretty face reddened. “He’s our father!”
